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Manatee assistant principal dies after hit by car

Wendy Suarez, assistant principal at Jessie P. Miller Elementary School in Bradenton, dies after being hit by a car in Okeechobee. She was on her way to visit her brother on the east coast.
(Photo provided)

Published: Monday, March 18, 2013 at 2:55 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, March 18, 2013 at 3:03 p.m.

An assistant principal at Jessie P. Miller Elementary in Bradenton died this weekend when she was hit by a car on a trip to visit her brother.

Wendy Suarez died Friday after stopping at a gas station near Okeechobee to get directions while driving to Jupiter, said Principal Barry Dunn. After the 41-year-old exited her car, she was hit by another vehicle while approaching the street.

An assistant principal at Miller since January 2011, Suarez was known as a detail-oriented and positive administrator who watched carefully over students and staff members, Dunn said.

On Monday morning, students made cards and drew pictures to give to Suarez's family.

"When she was here she always had a smile on her face," Dunn said. "She inspired a lot of people to get healthy."

Dunn said he and Suarez had worked to lose a total of 120 pounds. She had just run her first half-marathon, and she had inspired him to run his first 5K.

"We were inspiring each other to do different things," Dunn said. "She was in a really good place, mentally and physically."

Gene Witt Elementary School Principal Myra Russell only worked with Suarez for a short time, when Suarez was a part-time assistant principal from August 2009 to December 2009. But Russell said Suarez wasted no time sharing her knowledge of data and technology, and helping teachers with professional development.

"She was smart, a smart cookie," Russell said. "She accented me here, and I learned a lot from her."

The two kept in contact after Suarez left Witt, meeting for breakfast in the summer or on days off.

"If I had a problem I'd call her and she would do that same to me," Russell said. "We were like mentors for each other."

EARLIER: An assistant principal at Jessie P. Miller Elementary in Bradenton died this weekend when she was hit by a car on a trip to visit her brother.

Wendy Suarez died Friday after stopping at a gas station near Okeechobee to get directions while driving to Jupiter. After the 41-year-old exited her car, she was hit by another vehicle while approaching the street.

An assistant principal at Miller since January 2011, Suarez was known as a detail-oriented and positive administrator who watched carefully over students and staff members, Principal Barry Dunn said.

On Monday morning, students made cards and drew pictures to give to Suarez's family.

"When she was here she always had a smile on her face," Dunn said. "She inspired a lot of people to get healthy."

Dunn said he and Suarez had worked to lose a total of 120 pounds. She had just run her first half-marathon, and she had inspired him to run his first 5K.

<p>An assistant principal at Jessie P. Miller Elementary in Bradenton died this weekend when she was hit by a car on a trip to visit her brother.</p><p>Wendy Suarez died Friday after stopping at a gas station near Okeechobee to get directions while driving to Jupiter, said Principal Barry Dunn. After the 41-year-old exited her car, she was hit by another vehicle while approaching the street.</p><p>An assistant principal at Miller since January 2011, Suarez was known as a detail-oriented and positive administrator who watched carefully over students and staff members, Dunn said.</p><p>On Monday morning, students made cards and drew pictures to give to Suarez's family.</p><p>"When she was here she always had a smile on her face," Dunn said. "She inspired a lot of people to get healthy." </p><p>Dunn said he and Suarez had worked to lose a total of 120 pounds. She had just run her first half-marathon, and she had inspired him to run his first 5K.</p><p>"We were inspiring each other to do different things," Dunn said. "She was in a really good place, mentally and physically."</p><p>Gene Witt Elementary School Principal Myra Russell only worked with Suarez for a short time, when Suarez was a part-time assistant principal from August 2009 to December 2009. But Russell said Suarez wasted no time sharing her knowledge of data and technology, and helping teachers with professional development.</p><p>"She was smart, a smart cookie," Russell said. "She accented me here, and I learned a lot from her."</p><p>The two kept in contact after Suarez left Witt, meeting for breakfast in the summer or on days off.</p><p>"If I had a problem I'd call her and she would do that same to me," Russell said. "We were like mentors for each other."</p><p>EARLIER: An assistant principal at Jessie P. Miller Elementary in Bradenton died this weekend when she was hit by a car on a trip to visit her brother.</p><p>Wendy Suarez died Friday after stopping at a gas station near Okeechobee to get directions while driving to Jupiter. After the 41-year-old exited her car, she was hit by another vehicle while approaching the street.</p><p>An assistant principal at Miller since January 2011, Suarez was known as a detail-oriented and positive administrator who watched carefully over students and staff members, Principal Barry Dunn said.</p><p>On Monday morning, students made cards and drew pictures to give to Suarez's family.</p><p>"When she was here she always had a smile on her face," Dunn said. "She inspired a lot of people to get healthy." </p><p>Dunn said he and Suarez had worked to lose a total of 120 pounds. She had just run her first half-marathon, and she had inspired him to run his first 5K.</p>